Interconvertible pool table and couch



Sept. 12, 1967 P. B. TURPIN, SR

INTBRCONVERTIBLE POOL 'TABLE AND COUCH 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1964' ATTORNEYS Sept. 12, 1967 B. TURPIN, SR 3,341,198

INTERCONVERTIBLE POOL TABLE AND COUCH Filed Oct. 12, 1964 2 Sheets-Shem :1

United I States Patent Cfifice 3,341,198 INTERCONVERTIBLE POOL TABLE AND COUCH Philip B. Turpin, Sr., Charlotte, N.C., assignor to Microtron Corporation, Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,017 7 Claims. (Cl. 273) This invention relates generally to household furniture and more particularly to a single piece of furniture that is interconvertible for use as a pool table and for use as a couch.

The broad concept of providing a single .piece of furniture that is interconvertible for use as either a pool table or as a couch has been known for many years. However, known types of convertible furniture have several disadvantages that have prevented their widespread use. For example, they are usually too large for use in the den or playroom of a modern home and they do not have the appearance of a conventional couch because the edges of the pool table member extend outwardly beyond the ends and above the back of the couch. Also, the pool table member is pivotally connected to the frame of'the couch by a complicated arrangement of levers that distracts from the appearance and increases the cost of manufacture.

With the foregoing in mind, it is .a main object of the present invention to provide a combination pool table and couch which may be used in a relatively small area and which has the attractive appearance of other modern-day furniture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination .pool table and couch wherein the table member is pivotally supported on the frame by a comparatively simple and economically produced pivot arrangement that does not distract from the appearance.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination pool table and couch in which the length of the table member is related to the length of the couch frame so that the table member does not extend outwardly beyond the ends of the couch frame while the pivotal connection of the table member to the couch frame permits the table member to be lowered behind the couch frame so that it does not extend upwardly beyond the level of the back cushions of the couch.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the combination pool table and couch, showing it converted for use as a couch with two of the back cushions removed for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the combination pool table and couch converted for use as a pool table;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view looking down on the left-hand end of FIGURE 2; I

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevation looking inwardly at the left-hand side of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE 3 and illustrating the manner in which the table is supported for sliding and pivotal movement on the arm of the couch frame; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in FIG- URE 2. a

The combination pool table and couch includes a couch frame having a pair of end frame members, broadly indicated at 10 and 11, that are held in spaced apart relationship by a seat and cushion supporting frame, broadly 3,341,198. Patented Sept. 12, 1967 indicated at 12. A rectangular table member, broadly indicated at T, is supported on the end frames 10 and 11 for movement between the substantially vertical position shown in FIGURE 1 and the substantially horizontal position shown in FIGURE 2, by pivotal supporting means to be presently described.

The end frames 10 and 11 are identical, except that they are opposite hand, and therefore only the end frame 10 will be described in detail and like reference characters will be applied to corresponding parts of the end frame 11, with the prime notation added. The end frame 10 includes a front leg 15, a rear leg 16, a brace member 17 connected at opposite ends to medial portions of the front and rear legs 15, 16, and a substantially horizontal arm rest 18 which is connected at opposite ends to the upper ends of the front and rear legs 15, 16.

The seat and cushion supporting frame 12 includes a rectangular back cushion supporting frame 20 which has spaced apart vertically extending slats 20a connected to the upper and lower horizontal frame members. The lower horizontal frame member (FIGURE 6) is connected to the medial brace member 17 and has a seat support rail 22 attached along its front lower portion. A rectangular seat supporting frame 23 is suitably supported at its rear edge on the seat support rail 22 (FIGURE 6) and the forward end is supported on the upper edge of a support rail 24 (FIGURES 1 and 2). Opposite ends of the support rail 24 are suitably secured to the front legs 15, 15'. If desired, the lower seat frame 23 may be provided with suitable resilient strap members, not shown, for supporting an upholstered seat cushion 25 thereon. Back cushions, such as that indicated at 26 in FIGURE 1, are positioned across the back of the couch with the lower portions resting on the seat cushion 25 and the rear portions leaning against the back cushion supporting frame 20. As best shown in FIGURE 6, the upper portion of the back cushion supporting frame 20 is supported on the rear leg 16 by an L-shaped support bracket 27. The forward end of the bracket 27 is suitably secured to the inner face of the frame 20 and the rear end is suitably secured to the inner face of the rear leg 16.

The table T includes a pair of identical end boards 30 and 30. The pool playing area of the table T (FIGURE 2) is covered with cloth in the usual manner and surrounded by rebound rails with suitable ball receiving pockets 32 provided in each corner of the table, as well as in medial portions of the front and rear edges thereof.

The front edge of the table T has a downwardly depending skirt 34 which extends beneath the table to define a ball return tunnel 35 that extends along the front edge of the table T (FIGURE 6). The skirt 34 has oval-shaped openings 36 (FIGURE 2) which communicate with the ball return tunnel 35 to permit the balls to be removed therefrom and returned to the playing area. The rear edge of the table T has a downwardly extending skirt 40 (FIG- URE 6) which extends beneath the table to define a ball return tunnel 41 that extends along the rear edge of the table T. The skirt 40 is provided with oval-shaped open ings 42, one of which is shown in FIGURE 4, to permit the balls to be removed from the tunnel 41 and returned to the playing area.

The end boards 30 and 30' are supported for pivotal and sliding movement relative to the respective arm rests 18 and 18' in the same manner and only the pivotal connection between the end board 30 and the arm rest 18 is shown and described. The lower medial portion of the end board 30 is cut away, as shown at 43 in FIGURE 6, and the vertical flange of a guide bracket 44 is suitably secured to the inner surface of the end board 30 (FIG- URES 5 and 6). The inner face of the end board 30 is cut so that the surface of the vertical flange of the guide bracket 44 fits flush with the inner surface of the board 30. The guide bracket 44 has a horizontal flange and an upturned outer edge portion which serves to form the bottom of a groove that extends from a point substantially halfway between the front and rear edges of the table T and toward the front edge of the table (FIG- URE 6).

A nylon slide block 45 (FIGURE is supported for sliding movement in the groove formed by the cut-out 43 in the board 30 and the horizontal flange of the guide bracket 44. The inner end of a pivot member 46 is suitably supported in the slide block 45 (FIGURE 5). The outer end of the pivot member 46 (FIGURE 5) is suitably supported in a medial portion of the vertically disposed body portion of a substantially C-shaped slide bracket 50. The C-shaped bracket 50 is provided with outwardly extending upper and lower arms which slidably engage the corresponding upper and lower inner surfaces of the arm rest 18 (FIGURE 5). Forward movement of the slide bracket 50 on the arm 18 is limited by a stop plate 51 (FIGURES 3 and 6) that is suitably secured to the lower surface of a medial portion of the arm rest 18. Rearward movement of the slide bracket 50 on the arm rest 18 is limited by the upper end of the rear leg 16. If desired, the lower arm'of the slide bracket 50 may be removably attached to the lower end of the body portion by screws, in the manner indicated at 53 in FIGURE 5 so that the lower arm of the slide bracket 50 may be easily removed and the table T lifted from the arm rest 18. Also, the slide bracket 50 may be fixed on the arm 18 at a point adjacent the rear leg 16 and the groove in the end of the table T extended to accommodate the slide block 45.

A support roller 55 (FIGURE 1) is suitably supported in the upper end of a guide bracket 56 which is in turn suitably secured to the outer surface of the end board 30. When the table T is moved to the horizontal position shown in FIGURE 2, the roller 55 rests upon the upper surface of the arm rest 18 to support the front edge of the table T. The lower portion of the guide bracket 56 extends downwardly between the inner surface of the arm rest 18 and the end of the table T and serves to guide the table T as it is moved forwardly and rearwardly, for purposes to be presently described.

A bearing member 60 is supported for vertical adjustment on the upper portion of the rear leg 16 (FIGURE 4) and a shaft 61 is supported for rotation and longitudinal movement in the bearing 60. A cam wheel 62 is fixed on the inner end of the shaft 60 and a hand wheel 63 is fixed on the outer end of the shaft 61. The hand wheel 63 and the cam wheel 62 are provided to support the rear edge of the table T when moved to the horizontal playing position shown in FIGURE 2.

In order to convert the combination pool table and couch from a couch, as shown in FIGURE 1, to a pool table, as shown in FIGURE 2, the back cushions 26 are either removed or laid on the seat cushion 25 and then the rear edge of the table T is raised and moved forwardly so that the slide brackets 50 move along the arm rests 18, 18' until they engage the stop members 51. With further forward movement of the table T, the slide blocks 45 move to the rear ends of the grooves in the end boards 30, 30 and to the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 6. The hand wheels 63 are then moved inwardly so that the cam wheels 62 are alined beneath the corresponding end boards 30, 30. The hand wheels 63 are then rotated to move the high portions of the cam wheels 62 into engagement with the lower surfaces of the end boards 30, 30 to support the rear edge of the table T, the front edge of the table T being supported by the rollers 55 resting on the arms 18, 18.

In order to move the table T back to the substantially vertical position shown in FIGURE 1, the hand wheels at each end of the couch frame are moved outwardly so that the corresponding cam wheels 62 move out from beneath the end boards 30, 30. Then the table T is slid rearwardly so that the slide brackets 50 move back agalnst the rear legs 16, 16' and the rear edge is lowered so that the blocks 45 move to the forward ends of the grooves at each end of the table. The table thereby moves down into the position shown in FIGURE 1 so that the skirt 34 along the front edge does not extend above the back cushions 26, when they are placed in position. Thus, when used as a couch, the table T extends downwardly beneath the seat cushion 25 and both ends of the table T are confined between the arm rests 18, 18' so that it does not distract from the appearance of the couch.

When the table T is in the substantially vertical position shown in FIGURE 1, the center of gravity of the table T is located rearwardly of the slide brackets 50 and 50' so that the lower edge of the table T swings inwardly between the end frames 10 and 11 a greater distance than the top edge. Thus, the upper edge of the table T is inclined rearwardly at a slight angle to provide a comfortable support for the cushions 26. The lower ends of the rear legs 16 extend rearwardly of the upper edge of the table T and prevent engagement of the table T with a wall when the couch is positioned with its back adjacent the wall.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. An interconvertible combination pool table and couch comprising (a) a pair of end frames each having front and rear legs and arm rests carried by the upper ends of said front and rear legs,

(b) a substantially horizontal seat supporting frame supported between said end frames,

(c) a rectangular table having a pool playing area on one side, the length of said table being slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of said end frames to permit said table to be supported therebetween and with opposite ends of said table inside of said end frames, and

(cl) pivotal means supporting opposite ends of said table on said arm rests of said end frames for movement between a substantially vertical position between said rear legs of said end frames with the pool playing area facing away from said seat frame, and a horizontal position between said arm rests with the pool playing area uppermost.

2. A combination pool table and couch according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal means (d) comprises (1) a bracket supported for sliding movement on the inner surface of each of said arm rests,

(2) a groove in each end of said table, the grooves facing corresponding arm rests and extending from midway between the front and rear edges of said table and toward the front edge of said table, and

(3) a pivot member supported at one end in each of said brackets, the other ends of said pivot members being positioned for sliding movement in the grooves in said table ends.

3. A combination pool table and couch according to claim 2 wherein said brackets are substantially C-shaped, each bracket having a vertical body portion and upper and lower arms extending outwardly at right angles from said body portion, said upper and lower arms slidably engaging the corresponding upper and lower inner surfaces of said arm rests.

4. A combination pool table and couch according to claim 3 wherein said lower arm of each bracket is removably connected to said vertical body portion to facilitate removal of said table from said arm rests.

couch comprising (a) a pair of end frames each having front and rear legs and substantially horizontal arm rests carried by the upper ends of said front and rear legs,

(b) a substantially horizontal seat supporting frame supported between said end frames,

(c) a rectangular table having a pool playing area on one side, the length of said table being slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of said arm rests,

(d) pivotal means supporting opposite ends of said table on said arm rests of said end frames for movement between a substantially vertical position between said rear legs of said end frames with the pool playing area facing away from said seat frame, and a horizontal position between and in substantial alinement with said arm rests with the pool playing area uppermost,

(e) a roller supported at each end of said table and adjacent the front edgethereof, said rollers being in engagement with the upper surfaces of said arm rests when said table is in the horizontal position'to support the front edge of said table, and

(f) a support member carried by the upper portion of each of said rear legs, said support members being movable inwardly to engage said table and support the rear edge thereof when the table is in the horizontal position, said support members being movable outwardly and out of engagement with said table to permit said'table to be moved from the horizontal to the vertical position.

6. A combination pool table and couch according to claim 5 wherein said support members (f) each comprise (1) a bearing member supported on said rear leg,

(2) a shaft supported for rotation and longitudinal movement in said bearing,

(3) a cam wheel fixed on the inner end of said shaft,

and

(4) a hand wheel fixed on the outer end of said shaft, said hand wheel limiting inward movement of said shaft to aline said cam wheel beneath the end of said table, said hand wheel being rotatable in one direction to move said cam wheel into supporting engagement with the rearward portion of said table, so that said cam wheel cooperates with said roller (e) at the corresponding end of said table to lock said table in the horizontal position to prevent movement there of about said pivotal means (d), said hand wheel being rotatable in the other direction to move said cam wheel out of supporting engagement with said table to facilitate outward movement of said hand wheel and hence outward movement of said cam wheel from beneath said table to permit said table to be moved from the horizontal to the vertical position.

7. An interconvertible combination pool table and couch comprising (a) a pair of end frames each having front and rear legs and substantially horizontal arm rests carried by the upper ends of said front and rear legs,

(b) a substantially horizontal seat supporting frame supported between said end frames,

(c) a rectangular table having a pool playing area on one side, the length of said table being slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of said arm rests,

(d) pivotal means supporting opposite ends of said table on said arm rests of said end frames for movement between a substantially vertical position between said rear legs of said end frames with the pool playing area facing away from said seat frame, and

a horizontal position between and in substantial alinement with said arm rests with the pool playing area uppermost, said pivotal means comprising (1) a bracket supported for sliding movement on the inner surface of each of said arm rests,

' (A) each of said brackets being substantially Cshaped and having a vertical body portion with upper and lower arms extending outwardly at right angles from said body portion, said upper and lower arms slidably engaging the corresponding upper and lower inner surfaces of said arm rests, and

(B) the lower arm of each of saidbrackets being removably connected to said vertical body portion to facilitate removal of said table from said arm rests,

(2) a groove in each end of said table, the grooves facing corresponding arm rests and extending from midway between the front and rear edges of said table and toward the front edge of said table, and

(3) a pivot member supported at one end in each of said brackets, the other ends of said pivot members being positioned for sliding movement in the grooves in said arm rests,

(e) a roller supported at each end of said table and adjacent the front edge thereof, said rollers being in engagement with the upper surfaces of said arm rests when said table is in the horizontal position to support the front edge of said table, and

(f) a support member carried by the upper portion of each of said rear legs, said support members being movable inwardly to engage said table and support the rear edge thereof when the table is in the horizontal position, said support members being movable outwardly and out of engagement with said table to permit said table to be moved from the horizontal to the vertical position, said support members each comprising (1) a bearing member supported on said rear leg,

(2) a shaft supported for rotation and longitudinal movement in said bearing,

(3) a cam wheel fixed on the inner end of said shaft, and

(4) a hand wheel fixed on the outer end of said shaft, said hand wheel limiting inward movement of said shaft to aline said cam wheel beneath the end of said table, said hand wheel being rotatable in one direction to move said cam wheel into supporting engagement with the rearward portion of said table, so that said cam wheel cooperates with said roller (e) at the corresponding end of said table to lock said table in the horizontal position to prevent movement thereof about said pivotal means (d), said hand wheel being rotatable in the other direction to move said cam wheel out of supporting engagement with said table to facilitate outward movement of said hand wheel and hence outward movement of said cam wheel from beneath said table to permit said table to be moved from the horizontal to the vertical position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 766,072 7/1904 Stone 273-5 F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD c. PINKHAM, Examiner.

R. F CUTTING, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN INTERCONVERTIBLE COMBINATION POOL TABLE AND COUCH COMPRISING (A) A PAIR OF END FRAMES EACH HAVING FRONT AND REAR LEGS AND ARM RESTS CARRIED BY THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID FRONT AND REAR LEGS, (B) A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SEAT SUPPORTING FRAME SUPPORT BETWEEN SAID END FRAMES, (C) A RECTANGULAR TABLE HAVING A POOL PLAYING AREA ON ONE SIDE, THE LENGTH OF SAID TABLE BEING SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID END FRAMES TO PERMIT SAID TABLE TO BE SUPPORTED THEREBETWEEN AND WITH OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TABLE INSIDE OF SAID END FRAMES, AND 